Winter Travels Easier Than Usual

This 'winter' has made for pretty easy traveling. After our 5th annual state-wide reentry meeting in October, I was exhausted and am excited to see the Reentry Coalition taking up the task of organizing next year's meeting. The meeting was packed with information and we thank RISE Recovery Center for hosting.

The new year, saw me hitting the road to learn about reentry efforts (mostly in eastern Iowa). Here is summary of some of my visits.

1. Davenport - I was able to meet Chasiti Scott who oversees the Community Health Worker program at Community Health Center. I am so impressed with their commitment to supporting returning citizens. They cover the Quad Cities as well as Clinton.

2. Cedar Rapids - There is a new sober-living house for women in town called Maggie's Place. Great people and very nice house. I also was able to meet with the CRUSH Recovery Center staff who are headiing up their Corrlinks recovery support.

3. Des Moines - I touched base and caught up with St. Vincent de Paul's Immersion Program, Full Circle Recovery, RISE Recovery and WeLIFT. All incredible organizations and people! Also had the chance to meet with Dad's With a Purpose staff and tour two of their comfortable recovery/transitional houses.

4. Waterloo - The Center of Attention is growing and Felicia Carter is the visionary for this effort. Great space for women returning from prison. It was also great to meet with One City (Michele and Dean Feltes) as they plan to open their Recovery Cafe.

5. Mason City - The recovery housing group SRBLFE has opened it's first house for women. It is a great space and Brett Wetter and Roxane Murphy are such committed, caring people. Great visit!